Mentoring makes a difference and is a critical component of career development and training at HCC at all levels. Consider being a mentor for aspiring young scientists through one of our student training programs, which introduce high school and college students to the world of cancer research by placing them in real research settings across HCC institutions. Our flagship program, the Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE), has provided training opportunities since 2002, and we have since added several additional mechanisms for student training. Each summer we support on average 80-100 students and we are always in need of willing and enthusiastic mentors to join us in achieving our mission of developing the cancer research workforce.
Mentoring with CURE
Benefits of Being a Mentor
Your mentorship practice is continually evolving, and serving as a mentor offers several key benefits to you and/or the development of your research trainees.
1. Give back and make a difference
Develop the next generation: Mentoring provides an opportunity for experienced individuals to pass on their knowledge, wisdom, and experience. Research shows that positive mentorship and mentoring relationships are integral in fostering the development of scientific identity and ensuring successful retention in the biomedical pipeline.
Build legacy: Mentoring directly shapes the future of mentees, contributing to the development of future leaders, researchers, and innovators in STEM.
2. Grow your network and career
Being recognized as someone who invests in the development of others can lead to increased recognition from peers, supervisors, and the broader STEM community. Providing mentorship can enhance your own network.
3. Enhance your professional skills
Refine leadership skills: Mentoring is a form of leadership that hones skills like problem solving, time and people management, and critical thinking.
Improve communication skills: Mentors need to communicate complex concepts in clear and accessible ways and often through a myriad of approaches.
4. Benefit from continuous learning and growth
Mentors continually learn and grow through engaging in mentoring, which drives evolution of mentorship philosophies, approaches, and styles. Mentoring is also a two-way street, and mentees can bring fresh perspectives or opportunities to reflect on one’s own career trajectory and values.
If you are interested in mentoring with us, please contact us for more information.
Expectations of Mentors
Research Internship Experience
Regular mentorship: In a research setting, having a dedicated day-to-day mentor is crucial for student success. This mentor, whether the Principal Investigator (PI) or another knowledgeable team member, should be well-versed in the PI's plans for the student and be available for daily guidance. Additionally, the PI should allocate some time each week to engage with the student.
Research Project: Before the student's arrival, the mentor will outline a specific project or a segment of a larger project for the student to work on. A Research Project Outline document will be provided to facilitate this process. The aim is to help students grasp both the broader context of research and the specifics of their assigned tasks.
Research Experience: Mentors will be responsible for ensuring that students obtain authentic, question-driven, and hands-on wet, dry, or clinical research experience.
Access to Resources: Mentors must ensure that students have access to the necessary resources and personnel to conduct their research effectively. As this may be the student's first experience in such an environment, guidance in identifying and utilizing these resources is essential.
Networking and Inclusion: Include the students in the regular activities of the lab/department. Students will find it valuable to get to meet and know a wide variety of faculty, students, and post docs and will benefit from opportunities to observe research practice and culture
CURE Program Experience
Evaluation: Mentors are responsible for evaluating the student's progress through a 10-minute phone conversation with program leadership and an online survey at the summer's end.
Program Support: Mentors are expected to encourage and ensure that students attend and actively participate in CURE programming, which is meant to bring students together with like-minded individuals from relatable backgrounds to build community and supplement personal, professional, and scientific skills.
Program Deliverables
Mentors will support students in completing key deliverables, including:
Learning Plan: Students must draft and submit a signed Learning Plan outlining professional and scientific goals for the summer internship. Mentors should assist in its completion and review.
Abstract: Mentors should assist their student in the preparation and review of a scientific abstract on their research projects. Abstracts will be printed in a program booklet for final presentations and made available online for one year.
Final Presentation: Mentors should assist the students in the preparation of a polished scientific oral presentation (either a poster or 10-12 minute scientific talk on their research project). This includes, but is not limited to, review of the presentation for accuracy, layout, and the student’s ability to orally present the materials.
Mentors are expected to attend the student's final presentation at the end of the summer.
Work Schedule/Attendance
Mentors will be expected to ensure that their students are present and on time for every scheduled workday.
Work days are Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am and 6:30pm.
Students may NOT work more than 40 hours in one week. Students are expected to be in their research lab around 30-35 hours a week.
A portion of the workday hours (~5-10hr/week) will be dedicated to participation in wrap around programming with the CURE Program.
The program begins in late May for undergraduates and late June for high school students, and ends the first full week of August.
CURE staff will provide ongoing support to mentors and students. For questions, please contact us
Training and Resources
To support our community of mentors, we offer mentor training using evidence-based curriculum for mentors across the HCC community, with a lens of working with high school and undergraduate trainees. The curriculum is based on the Entering Mentoring series from the Center for Improvement of Mentored Research Experiences (CIMER).
For more information related to mentor training, please contact us.
Mentor Appreciation and Testimonials
“I really enjoy getting to know my mentee. I love when we can find something that connects us beyond science. When they realize that we have shared experiences and ultimately, we aren't all that different. Which of course means that they also belong in these spaces, and that they are capable of doing amazing things.”
-Shannon Stott, PhD (CURE 2024 Mentor Award Recipient)
“The most fulfilling thing about mentoring is seeing my mentees grow in their understanding, skill, and confidence throughout their time in the lab. I remember what it was like when I had my first research experience as an undergraduate student. Although it was exciting and I was capable and enthusiastic, I sometimes struggled when things did not go smoothly and I could not control the outcomes of my experiments. It can be hard to see my students go through the same thing, but it is always wonderful when we can celebrate their wins, either big or small. It is especially fulfilling when students have a positive experience and choose to pursue subsequent research opportunities.”
-Stecia-Marie Fletcher, PhD (CURE 2024 Mentor Award Recipient)